Phillip Joseph Rock

Background

Rock, Phillip Joseph was born on May 4, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Joseph J. and Kathryn (Crimmins) Rock.

Education

He received both his bachelor's degree in philosophy and his master's degree in theology from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, and in 1964 graduated from Loyola University School of Law.

Career

During his time in the , he became the longest serving President of the Illinois with a fourteen-year tenure serving from 1979 to 1993. He served as an Assistant Attorney General under William G. Clark from 1965 until 1969 when he went to work for the Cook County State's Attorney. During his time in the , the Illinois Deaf-Blind Service Center and School was established and the Regional Transportation Authority was created.

In 1979, Rock became President of the Illinois State

In 1996, Rock was appointed to the Illinois Board of Higher Education and became its Chair in April 1999. He stepped down from the board in April 2002. In 2012, Rock published his autobiography, Nobody Calls Just to Say Hello, co-authored with Ed Wojcicki.

On January 29, 2016, he died at the age of 78. At the time of his death, he had Lewy body dementia.

Achievements

• Bar: Illinois 1964.

Membership

Member Illinois State Democratic Central Committee, since 1970. Member Oak Park Dem.Com., 1978. Delegate Democratic National Convention, 1980.

Member Democratic National Committee. Member American Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association.

Connections

Married Shelia Graber, 1964. Children: Kathleen, Colleen, Meghan, John Joseph.

Father:

Joseph J. Rock

Mother:

Kathryn (Crimmins) Rock

Spouse:

Shelia Graber

child:

Kathleen Rock

child:

John Joseph Rock

child:

Meghan Rock

child:

Colleen Rock